Wilks Calculator

Gender:

Body Weight:

Total Weight Lifted (Squat + Bench + Deadlift):

1. What is a Wilks Calculator?

Definition: The Wilks Calculator computes the Wilks score, a metric used in powerlifting to compare the strength of lifters across different body weights and genders by normalizing the total weight lifted.

Purpose: It allows for fair comparisons between lifters in different weight classes and genders, helping to determine the best overall lifter in competitions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the updated 2020 Wilks formula:

\( \text{Wilks Score} = \frac{\text{Total Weight Lifted} \times 500}{a + b \cdot x + c \cdot x^2 + d \cdot x^3 + e \cdot x^4 + f \cdot x^5} \)

Where:

\( x \): Body weight in kg.
Total Weight Lifted: Sum of best squat, bench press, and deadlift in kg.
Coefficients \( a, b, c, d, e, f \): Gender-specific values (see below).

Steps:

Select your Gender and enter your Body Weight and Total Weight Lifted, choosing the units (kg or lb).
Validate inputs to ensure they are positive and within practical ranges (body weight: 40-200 kg for men, 40-150 kg for women).
Convert all weights to kg, apply the Wilks formula, and calculate the score.
Display the Wilks score to 2 decimal places.

3. Importance of Wilks Calculation

Calculating the Wilks score is crucial for:

Fair Competition: Enables comparison of lifters across weight classes and genders to determine the best overall lifter.
Performance Evaluation: Provides a standardized metric to assess relative strength, useful for rankings and qualifications.
Motivation: Allows lifters to set goals and compare their strength to others, regardless of physical differences.

4. Using the Calculator

Example 1: A female lifter weighing 48 kg with a total of 94 kg:

Body Weight: 48 kg
Total Lifted: 94 kg
Wilks Score: Using coefficients for women, the score is approximately 111.92 points.

Example 2: A male lifter weighing 220 lb with a total of 1000 lb:

Body Weight: 220 lb = 99.79 kg
Total Lifted: 1000 lb = 453.59 kg
Wilks Score: Using coefficients for men, the score is approximately 288.37 points.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the Wilks score?
A: The Wilks score is a metric that normalizes a powerlifter’s total lifted weight to compare strength across different body weights and genders.

Q: Why was the Wilks formula updated in 2020?
A: The 2020 update (Wilks-2) refined the coefficients to better balance comparisons across extreme and middle weight classes and align performances between genders.

Q: How can I interpret my Wilks score?
A: A score around 300 indicates a solid intermediate lifter, 400-500 places you at a national competitive level, and scores above 600 are world-class.